University News Last updated 23 February 2010
One of the most prominent lawyers from the United States has been sharing his experiences with students at Birmingham City University.
Michael L. Edwards is the Circuit Public Defender for the Eastern Judicial Circuit of Georgia and has particular knowledge and expertise in the criminal defence arena, including the death penalty, litigation and employment law.
He was welcomed to the University last week when he led a seminar to a group of students from the University’s LLB Law degree. The final year students were particularly interested in learning about how the criminal justice systems differ between the UK and the state of Georgia. Michael also shared his experiences in private practice and offered advice to students embarking on a future career in law.
Dr Jon Yorke, Reader in Law at Birmingham City University, said: “The students greatly benefited from Michael’s visit. He is an incredibly inspiring individual through his leadership of his criminal defence office in Savannah, where they represent the indigent from the petty criminal to those charged with capital murder, and following his powerful, and insightful, lecture the students were able to ask him about life as a student intern in offices in the United States. Michael gave our new interns invaluable information, and helped prepare them for the work they will undertake in the summer.”
Birmingham City University already has an established relationship with Michael Edwards’ team, as Michael’s practice is involved in the University’s American Internship programme which offers undergraduate law students the opportunity to gain work experience in the offices of US attorneys working pro-bono.
Michael Edwards commented: “The American Internship programme has proved valuable for both the UK students and the US professional law practices. In particular, the programme offers a meaningful exchange of information between the two countries. Students experience different cultures and gain invaluable knowledge and skills that they can take back to the UK. The US attorneys in return benefit from the value the UK students can add to the cases they work on. “I’ve enjoyed my time at Birmingham City University, it was great to share my knowledge and experiences with the students and learn more about the law training programmes in the UK.”
ENDS
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